[Publib] Re: Children of staff

[Beverly Michaels]

I am finally inspired/goaded into joining this discussion, thanks to
this exchange:
 
"Your children are not to be brought to work with you, come to your work
location after school until closing, or otherwise "hang out" at your
work location except under extreme circumstances and only with prior
permission of the Director."  
 
Why is this so bad?  
 
..........................................
 
Why is it so bad? Because this policy makes children of staff members
into second-class patrons. Why should a child be barred from hanging out
at the library simply because his/her parent works there??
 
Like some others who have responded, when I found myself forced to find
a full-time job I was thrilled to be able to work in a public library.
(My youngest child was six at the time.) Both libraries where I have
worked have been very family-friendly, and my bosses and colleagues were
always understanding when my elementary-schooler accompanied me to work
on a professional development day, or when I had to run out to pick her
up from an after-school activity. This daughter, now 17, still
occasionally chooses to come along with me to work when I'm scheduled on
a Sunday afternoon. She uses the library as a base for meeting up with
friends, or takes advantage of our fiber optic Internet connection, or
sometimes even does her homework. I consider all that being a good
patron, even if she does happen to be related to me.
 
As far as being patrons, I figure my kids'  checkouts are a good boost
for our circ statistics. And what the heck, I count it in the reference
stats when I look something up for them or help them find an item. (I do
resort to "second-class citizen" treatment in this case-- My offspring
have to wait if I have a "real" patron to attend to.)
 
All that said, I could never had managed taking any of my children to
work with me when they were infants or toddlers. At that point they too
frequently required my undivided attention. Nevertheless, I would not
base an official policy on that fact, since each kid is different -- as
they say on the web, ymmv.
 
Beverly Michaels 
Circulation Services 
Tredyffrin Public Library 
610-688-7092, ext 201 

	 

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